Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-07-15

stantially similar circumstances and con-
ditions, for shorter than for q longer
distance over the same line, in the same
direction, the shorter being included
within the longer distance; but tAis shall
not be construed as authorizing any COM
mon carrier within the terms of
this act 10 charge and receive as
great compensation for shorter
as for longer distance; provided, how
ever, that upon application to the COM
mission appointed under the provisions
of this act, such common carrier may, in
special cases, after Investigation by the
commission, be authorized to charge less
for longer than for shorter distances for
the transportation of passengers or prop
ertY; and the commission may from time
to time prescribe the extent TO which
such designated common carrier may be
relieved from the operation of this sec
ton Of this act.
II rsilroad managers and officials do
not understand the real meaning of this
section, then how does it come TO pass
that in their applications to the commits
sion to be relieved from its operation,
they so particularly definitely end e1sctly
state what will De its effect on their re-
spectiYe companies? There is not one Of
said applications but refutes the pretenSe
that the section is involved, obscure, and
that its true meaning cannot be arrived
at. II the commission will but act with
one-hslt the perspicuity presented by the
section itself ard manifested by the rail
road representatives in their applications
for relief, there need be no serious diff
Guilty. Thus far it has not done so, as
pointed not in my former communication
relative to its action in the cases of the
southern railroads. It must retraCe its
steps in this regard or its discretionary
power, even 10 the extent granted by the
section, will, by an amendment of the
law, be taken sway from it; and even the
commission itself may disappear.
No one will claim that the Interstate
commerce law is perfect. But it was
enacted to effect the purpose stated in
the first part of this letter. And any per-
son of ordinary intelligence can see that 3
faithful execution of the provisions Of the
law which 1 have quoted viii enforce
equal rights in the business affairs OF the
people of the country, so faT, at least, as
this depends on the transportation
element of the case.
The people Of this country are earEesi
in this matter. The promoters and sup
pOrtCr5 Of the inter state commerce law
were also in earnest. One section of the
law evidences the earnestEess of those
who voted for its enactment. The section
to which l refer is IS follows, viz:
Sec. 10. That sny common carrier sub
ieCt to the provisions of this act, or,
whenever such common carrier is g cor
porati0n, any director or officer thereof,
or any receiver, trustee, lessee, agent, or
person acting for or employed by such
corporation, VINO, alone or with any other
corporation, company, person or parry,
shall willfully do or cause 10 be done, or
shall willingly suffer or permit TO be
done, shy act, matter, or thing in this act
prohibited or declared to be unlawful,
or who shall aid or Gbet therein, or shsll
WilfuIly omit or fell to DO any act, matter,
or thing in this act required 10 be done,
or shall cause or willingly suffer or per
nit any act, mStter, or thing so directed
or required by this act to be done not to
be 50 done, or shall aid or abet any such
omission or failure, or shall be guilty Of
any infraCtiOn Of this act, or shall sid or
abet therein, shall be deemed guilty Of 4
misdemeanOT, and shall, upon conviction
thereof in any District cCurtin the United
States, within the Jurisdiction OF which
such offense was committed, be subject
to a fine OF net to exceed $4,000 for each
Offense.
If the law be not obeyed, here is an in
strumsptality inst may readily re made
an effective agent of reform. Put it in
force with the vigOr thst may readily be
commanded, and how long will it be be-
fore the principles of the interstate com
merce act will De respected by all persons
embraced within its terms? But it must
be kept in mind by the public, and by in
diyiduals, that this law will not enforce
itself, no more than will the laws for the
punishment of the crimes of murder, sr-
son, burglary or larceny. Somebody
must see 20 it that the law is put into
action in the one case as in the others.
But when ell is done that can be done
under the Interstate commerce law, still
the regulation Of the transportation ele-
ment of the country's business will not
be perfect. That law operates only on
Interstate commerce. To arrive az a
perfect system, the law of the state must
be in harmony with that which relates TO
Interstate commerce.
Touching this feature Of the case, end
some others you have suggested, Will
have something TO say in future COM
municatiOns. JAMES Z. WILSON.
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